Melbourne A vs. Nix, Sunday 14th 5pm

Probably the best take away from this match is that we actually have real depth (in the squad and beyond).  Boxall, Fenton (obviously), Row, Spoonley & Biss all made very positive statements about their ability to play at this level.  Although Dura pipped them all as MoM in my view.

Very encouraging.

I know it was only one game, but Spoonley can't have done his chances of getting a gig at another A-League club any harm, given that muppets like Thomas and Kennedy are entrusted with the gloves across the ditch.

 Fair point.

His trouble is being an import.

Happy with the point but we left two on the table, when handed that second half opportunity...

The Good: 

We didn't get canned 5-0 like MV last night.

After having no youth in our side, we seem to have an abundance

Imagine what the Heart supporters are thinking now (that was a banked 3 points going by their forum)

The Bad:

11 vs 10 and we still couldn't hold on to the ball long enough to build pressure on Melbourne

Heart easily ran through our midfield in the second half and looked like they had 11 players Vs 10 at times

The Ugly:

Greed is good - Nix supporters (Yes, I will give myself an upper cut)    

Very excited for the season ahead!

Let's not get too carried away with the youngsters. Rowe is solidish but seems limited. Doesn't look like much more than a stopper. Biss might turn out to be a good player, but he contributed very little today and was generally not strong enough to make much of his little opportunities. I thought those two were carried by the rest of the team.

Just got back from the QLD state grand final - Incidently won by Sunshine Coast (5-4 on penalties)  2-2 after extra time.  Was checking the nix game online and am rapt with the result.  Would have happily taken a drawn before the game,  well done to the team and the club. Great start to the new season

Happy. Well done Greenie and the boys!

still cant understand why Clarke wasnt given 10mins at the end.  He was good enough to be on bench last week with nearly fully fit team and on bench again...Ifill was stuffed by then and we could have taken Fenton off.

a bit of angst for Paul Ifill in the forum after tonights game, did you not see him tracking back today to help in defence, I thought his workrate was impressive.

Overall a gutsy performance by the team , a point away from home, without our first team - something to be pleased about.

We would have been pleased with a draw if it was the first team playing.

Sack Greenie

Before the game, I would have taken the point. But thought we could have won that in the end. We gave Waffles nothing but balls in the air, what he clearly doesn't like. And I would have liked to see some earlier subs. But overall I am happy over how we went.

dont spend it all at once

That's 6 visits to the $2 Shop.

For the record I made a cool $8.20 profit from my Kiwisaver scheme today ($3.65 for a draw).  My mixed portfolio of steady growth (draw) and high risk high return ($5.75 for a win) gave me a modest dividend in this investment period.

After 7 weeks I will have enough for a club membership.

Enjoyed the game. I believe me and coxey were on tv. Biss seemed decent but Rowe was not up to it. Had concrete boots in first half plus sluggish. Boxall very average too. 

Anyway- well done lads

 You little beauties.

Sounds like the VPL final after the game was a flare-fest.

Quality save by Spoons... Paston would have never made that.

Stats.  We need stats.

Luke Rowe looking so slow was probably due to his opposite being lightning fast. Didn't do anything spectacular but I thought he defended well. Often the last ditch tackle came from him.

 I predicted this result.

Oh yes.

I did.

Not sure if it's been posted or not, but here it is anyway 

I thought the small band of supporters by the corner flag were brilliant too.

Just sayin' cause I was there.

Looking forward to the Victory game in November.

COME ON PHOENIX!

Agree very voluminous, well done !

Is there going to be a Man of the match poll?

Yeah will do tonight.

Slacko !

 Watched Prime news this evening hoping to hear good comments and see some coverage.

What a joke. Zip, not even a mention.

Good on ya welly_phoenix_melbourne, you guys were awesome and you did the yellow fever proud.

Especially liked the oo arr ya for the melbourne corners.

Thanks :)

I must say since moving here & attending these Melbourne matches, I'm beginning to get to know the away Phoenix regulars that go to every game and sit in the supporters area. Makes it truly feel like a home away from home. Can't wait for November. Bring on the Victory!

I think KJ was calling you fat...

Haha yeah that was good fun :)

I'd say there would been a good 200-300 Nix supporters scattered around yesterday. The noisier fans were in the corner by the flag. Great spot imo.

Last season during the Heart-Victory double header over 6 days there were far more & we all had a fantastic time.

The A-league need to play to their strengths in the season draw and have more double header opportunities such as this to bring fans across the ditch or states. Along with Melbourne, there is an opportunity to do this with Sydney too.

I apologize if there is already a Sydney double header this year but imo, there should've been another Melbourne one planned & Air NZ need to get in on the party and arrange cheap flights for this sort of thing.

Sing out Yellow Fever! 

Big opportunity for a double header missed by FFA. Moving Heart v Nix to around the Victory - Nix game in early Nov could have worked well.  Only a few weeks of two teams with a match short. Could have been a Melbourne Cup special for travelling fans. 

However, FFA wouldn't want to be seen to favouring the Nix.  Oh no.

And no, there isn't a Sydney double header opportunity, which is a pity.  Would've liked that (I came to the Melbourne one, but I think that was season before last).

Stoked with the point in the circumstances but performance wasn't great.  Could have been 2 or 3 nil at the half and only attacked well for about 20 minutes in the second when we actually did look pretty good.  I liked seeing Fenton running centrally but need more width outside him for that to be effective - for a while Lia was getting forward but his delivery was rubbish.  

Ifill may have had a few bad touches but he's all class - he's the guy who will pull something out of nothing so I'd rather him try things because that's what his game is based on.

Need to think a bit more how we use Huysegems - didn't really click with him on Sunday.

I also thought our attack was a bit one dimensional.  Basically we just shove the ball out wide to one of our wingers and hope they beat their man one on one.  There's very little structured play - we never get the ball into feet up front or in between the lines.  I think we could get a bit predictable.

Would have hoped for a bit more from Rowe - looked solid enough but nothing stood out for me as being a step up on what we had.

Muscat was like a man possessed and has started the season amazingly well.  Reminding me a lot of Scott Parker.

 JD  - are you able to watch the games live in the UK? Or have you been watching streams?

Just on the streams unfortunately, but there's always a good quality one on bet365 - there is a 30 minute highlights package sometimes but they only cover 4 out fo the 5 games and the Phoenix seem to slip more often than not.  Plus it's usually on randomly on a Tuesday morning or something.